Sweet moms, this is the last day of our Prayer Challenge! Today, Julie and I answer the toughest question about prayer, when will God answer my prayers.

Jules – I’ve never been good at waiting, but motherhood is all about learning to wait well. Some moms wait years for adoptions, and others endure fertility treatments or seasons of hoping. Still others spend 40 weeks experiencing total body change that can’t be rushed. Receiving a child is only the beginning of a lifetime of waiting to come. You would think we would be great at waiting, but it’s easy to be anxious. When it comes to waiting for answers to prayer, how long is too long?

Heather—Seriously, why can’t God answer us in a text message? Instant and sweet.

We live in the day and age of “instant gratification.” The art of patience is hard taught and even harder to learn. Everything takes time and it drives me up the wall. But I’ve learned rather than push for things to happen or for instant answers, I’ve learned to wait on God. His timing is SO much better than mine.

Key Verse: If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7-11

Have you ever spent weeks—even years—praying about one specific thing and still found yourself wondering, When is God going to answer this prayer? If so, I know exactly how you feel.

I spent two years praying for my husband to know Jesus.

I spent seven years praying for a son.

I spent three years praying for a home.

I spent 26 years of my life wanting to know my Dad and spent every day in my early Christian walk praying for him.

When I pray, I really want my prayers to be answered. I know faith, patience and timing all are in the mix, but sooner or later I need to hear from God. Instead of growing weary in my faith and whining over the same prayers, I’ve simply adopted my children’s questioning process. “Why.”

Sometimes God isn’t answering a prayer because he has other plans or it isn’t the right time yet. Had God answered my prayers for a son when I first started praying, I would have been in over my head. We lived in tiny one bedroom rental just a few blocks from the college where I was attending and my husband was still a “bar hopper.”

And sometimes God does answer prayers but it’s not what we expected. I prayed for years for another child because I hail from the club, “Infertility and Secondary Infertility.” When we unexpectedly got pregnant with our fourth child, I was elated—only to be grieving several weeks later because I miscarried. It’s been three years and God has yet to give us another child—in fact he has been silent. And these unanswered prayers are transferred from one prayer journal to the next until I hear his yes or no.

I’ve learned three things to answered prayers:

Ask “Why?”

Pray for his timing—not my own.

Pray for his will to be done.

Let’s TALK to him

Let’s ask him why:

Thank Him – Be grateful he sees our entire life and knows every step of our journey

Acknowledge Him – Ask for his will to be done and ask him to examine your heart.

Lift up others – Lift up those who don’t know him and ask God to use you to be his light shining in the dark for them.

Kneel before God – Give him praise when the answers do not come and praise him in the storms.

Let’s Pray

Father, our lives are but a vapor—a midst. To you we are but a breath but to us, 40 weeks to decades take a long time. It ages us and causes us to wonder if you really hear our mama hearts. I pray your will is done for __________________________. And I pray for your will to be done in the everyday mother moments with my kids. Help me to choose your attitude and your will in all situations. I praise you for your wisdom, your answers, and your timing. Help me to be patient and to continue to praise you, even when the answer is a long time coming, even when the answer is no.

Day 6 – How can I get my husband to pray with me?

As we grow empowered in being able to pray, do you wonder how to get your spouse to pray with you? Is prayer time lonely or awkard without your spouse? Today we address talking to your husband about your prayer life!

Key Verse: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Need a time-out from your kids and a moment or two with God? Mama Needs A Time-Out is just for you. Filled with mirth, encouragement, and a transparent view of mothering, this inspirational devotional leads you through the names of God as you march through the trenches of motherhood. Whether you are a mother of preschoolers or toddlers, this book satisfies your soul and reminds you that you aren’t alone!

Life happens. Babies are born, mortgages are secured, and old ones pass away. But then there’s all that in between stuff, like frustrations in our marriage, feeling overwhelmed by the needs our kids have, or we question the choices a brother or sister are making. We see the same results day after day and question, does our prayers really make a difference? My sweet mama friend it does.

The Bible is filled with answered prayers, Elizabeth in her old age gave birth to a son, God freed the Iseraelites from slavery, Moses was saved from death. Some of my most powerful moments of prayer have been when I prayed asking God for HIS mighty will to be done.

Here is today’s convo Day 5 of our Prayer Challenge, if you haven’t met my co-writer, I’d like you to check Julie Sanders out. Oh and if you haven’t gotten our book or prayer tools scroll down.

Does it really make a difference if I pray for other people?

Jules – Some of my sweetest times of prayer happen when it’s just me and the Lord, alone in a quiet place, closed car or the middle of the night. Prayer is so personal. In gathering with a variety of different women, I’ve encountered quite a few who find it hard to pray with others. For some it’s new, but for others it’s awkward or stressful. How does praying with others make a difference?

Heather—The most powerful moments of prayer have happened when I pray about something alone and then bring it to my girlfriends in prayer. Suddenly, God is answering in more ways than one.

Key Verse: Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:19)

Who grows up dreaming of doing “life” alone? In fact, I bet you grew up dreaming of prince charming, six million kids and even had names for each of them. In all we do, we were never meant to do it alone—this includes prayer. In fact the act of praying together brings us into God’s presence in a fuller dimension than when we pray alone. There’s a reason why Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to a banquet, rather than a table for two! Life’s important experiences are meant to be shared.

When we open ourselves up and pray with others, it give God permission to move—double time. Not only that, but our friends become our prayer warriors, supporting us from the sidelines, holding our hearts and hands—village style!

When we prayer together:

It lifts our moods. We are filled with joy and peace because we know someone else understands our concerns and has our “backs.”

Allows us to hear our prayers and needs in a different way, each of us has a unique way of praying and praying together brings a new voice to the need.

Praying together reveals that sometimes we become the answer to someone else’s prayers.

Let’s Talk

Thank Him – Thank him for the gift of others.

Acknowledge Him – Tell God you stand on his promise that he is there in the midst of you and friends praying.

Lift up others – Be specific in describing the details of what burdens you.

Kneel before God – Thank God for the victory that is coming and thank him that you are able to someone else’s answer.

Lord, how amazing and wise you are that you created sisterhood, friendships, and relationships. We stand on your word knowing that when we pray together, Your spirit is there in midst of us and that you are already at work for us. Father, I surrender my________________ and I leave it at your alter, knowing you have a plan and a purpose. Thank you that I am able to share my prayers with others and that I to, can become a voice for my friend’s prayers. Amen.

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Visit our blog homes for more inspiration and practical help in your prayer life:

All too often, life hits us like one ocean wave after another as we tumble, desperately trying to get on our feet. The needs are so great, we don’t even know where to start but God listens, God sees, God knows. Lay it before him in a jumbled mess or one by one, he is ready.

Jules- When I became a mom, I had no idea how much it would drive my prayer life. At every stage, I’ve found myself crying out to the Lord for patience, wisdom, direction, and intervention over things I can’t control. My mama-prayers have swelled up early in the morning, in the midst of nap time, or deep in the night. Motherhood motivates me to pray!

Since children have a way of filling our hearts, how can we pray for our families?

Heather – Motherhood does change us, it challenges us and sometimes we think we are in over our heads. In the trenches of motherhood, God taught me he hears my cries, my groans, and my “Oh no’s!”

Key Verse: Isaiah 30:19 says, “How gracious He will be when you cry for help! As soon as He hears, He will answer you.”

What happens when your baby arouses from her slumber and starts to cry? We rush to pick her up, interpret her needs and soothe her. Even though your baby can’t express herself clearly, you care intensely for her. That’s a picture of God’s concern for you, His child, when you pray to Him.

God cares about the everyday ordinary moments of mothering. He cares about all you do, everything from working a part time evening job, to folding socks, and yes—he cares about all the little cares your kids lay upon your heart to pray. When we pray, it grows our faith and energizes us and gives God a chance to move in our families.

So do not hesitate to come to God with your problems and concerns. He loves you more than you understand and wants you to ask Him for help. Take a moment right now to talk with Him and thank Him for hearing you.

Let’s pause and pray right now, let’s “TALK.”

Thank Him – Thank him for creating a way to talk to him.

Acknowledge Him – Invite him into your worries and concerns, ask him to reveal his glory and authority in your family life.

Lift up others – Lift up each child, ask for victory over a certain character flaw.

Kneel before God – Kneel for God and surrender your family to him. Ask God to move in their lives and to let his light shine through them.

Let’s Pray.

Father God, thank you for creating a way to talk to you. It seems so simple but so profound. Help me to continually bring my worries, concerns, and dreams to you. Show me how to mother my kids from their best days to their worst. I lift up my kids to you ask that you work abundantly in their lives. I pray we all become a reflection of you in this world. Amen.

Visit with Us

Visit our blog homes for more inspiration and practical help in your prayer life: